The Foundations of Mathematics, Updated Edition

Praise for the previous edition:

“…ample information for reports.”—School Library Journal

During the 16th and 17th centuries, mathematicians developed a wealth of new ideas but had not carefully employed accurate definitions, proofs, or procedures to document and implement them. However, in the early 19th century, mathematicians began to recognize the need to precisely define their terms, to logically prove even obvious principles, and to use rigorous methods of manipulation. 

The Foundations of Mathematics, Updated Edition presents the lives and accomplishments of 10 mathematicians who contributed to one or more of the four major initiatives that characterized the rapid growth of mathematics during the 19th century: the introduction of rigor, the investigation of the structure of mathematical systems, the development of new branches of mathematics, and the spread of mathematical activity throughout Europe. This updated edition communicates the importance and impact of the work of the pioneers who redefined this area of study. Each unit contains information on the person's research, discoveries, and contributions to the field and concludes with a list of print and Internet references specific to that individual.